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Gosport-Fareham Bus Link Hits Milestone

Newgate Lane in Gosport has re-opened to traffic after 45 weeks of closure to enable the construction of a new bridge.

The new bridge was needed to replace the existing level crossing, enabling the BRT busway to pass unobstructed beneath busy Newgate Lane.

The opening of the bridge marks the passing of a further milestone in the construction of Phase 1 of the South East Hampshire Bus Rapid Transit scheme.

Councillor Mel Kendal, Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council and Chairman of Transport for South Hampshire, said:

"Although the construction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Phase 1 route had been subject to delays due to court proceedings, good progress has since been made and I am sure that the re-opening of Newgate Lane will be welcomed by those living locally.

"Work at Wych Lane is also going well and extensive landscaping is being carried out along the busway, which has already resulted in a substantial amount of planting in Cams Alder. Phase 1 of the scheme is expected to be completed in spring 2012."

The BRT scheme is funded with £20million from a Government grant and a further £4million from Hampshire County Council. It aims to boost public transport between Gosport and Fareham by converting a former disused railway into a dedicated busway. Phase 1 is intended to form part of a proposed wider integrated transport strategy for south Hampshire which aims to reduce the need to travel by car, provide better public transport options, improve traffic and network management and invest for the future to support the development of the local economy.

Councillor Kendal added:

"We recognise that the work at Newgate Lane has caused some inconvenience for local residents and commuters but through the provision of a temporary road enabled the flow of two way traffic to continue. We have done all we can to ensure that disruption was kept to a minimum and that the work was carried out as quickly and as efficiently as possible."